Padre Pio is going to be cannonized this Sunday. If you want to read a biography on him here is the website to go to. http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20020616_padre-pio_en.html

You can see some pictures of the preparation for the canonization tomorrow. One of the pictures is a close up of the statue of Padre Pio. It is beautiful. (Yes, Mike, I got this URL from the ctngreg list.)

I was drawn to his kind face as a kid and loved him right away. What an inspiration he is. Whenever I am at a low spiritual ebb, I think of and pray to Padre Pio and Saint Therese of Lisieux and then I can go out and face the world.

Padre Pio is not yet canonized, but his cause for beatification is currently active. Francesco, named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, was one of eight children of Grazio and Maria Forgione. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the habit in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio. On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible marks of the crucifixion. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. Upon his death in 1968, the wounds were no longer visible. In fact, there was no scaring and the skin was completely renewed. He had predicted 50 years prior that upon his death the wounds would heal. The wounds of the stigmata were not the only mystical phenomenon experienced by Padre Pio. The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that of perfume or flowers, and the gift of bilocation was attributed to him. Padre Pio had the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who flocked to him for confession which he heard for ten or twelve hours per day. Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls closer to God; he would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed. Even before his death, people spoke to Padre Pio about his possible canonization. He died on September 23, 1968 at the age of eighty-one. His funeral was attended by about 100,000 people.

Outside of the irritating crawl that tried to encourage as much doubt as possible, it wasn't too bad a show..I caught the tail end after early Mass today.

I have frinds in Maine who haven't been in any church in over 30 years who heard about Padre Pio while traveling in Italy and stopped near his home town. Even they were incredibly impressed with his life and works. Saints are recogonised even by those who never go to a church. I haven't the slighest doubt they won't also be happy to hear he has been raised to the altars

And then there are the "miracles" that happen without the Vatican ever being informed..but we are content in knowing the truth.

Last year, my friends daughter was in a horrific auto accident, and lay in a coma...for a couple of months. The Doctor's said she registered very little activity on the brain scans and if she regained consciousness, she would be in their words "in a vegetative state".

I got out my Novena to Padre Pio and sent her a copy, we both prayed daily to him from the start..till she opened her eyes and talked..Sooo, the girl recovered and is well on her way to a total and complete healing.

I won't speak of my own personal healing with Padre Pio's intervention...that is my own humbling experience...:~)

The important thing to remember is to pray fervently, with faith and believe in the power of divine intervention. Padre Pio is to me, not a healer, but has a direct line to God to plead for our healings. I believe.

THE CANONIZATION OF BLESSED PADRE PIO FROM ST. PETERS SQUARE, VATICAN CITY (3 HOURS)

Reporting live from St. Peter's Square, EWTN News Director Raymond Arroyo is joined by Fr. Francis Mary Stone, Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word, as they bring you full coverage of the canonization of Blessed Padre Pio. The historic event will include commentary by Fr. Andrew Apostoli on the life and works of this beloved twentieth-century Capuchin monk, who bore the wounds of Christ for over 50 years and through whose intercession countless graces, healings, and miracles have been attributed. Sunday June 16, 2002 4:00 AM LIVE Sunday June 16, 2002 10:00 AM ENCORE Sunday June 16, 2002 7:00 PM ENCORE Monday June 17, 2002 12:00 MID ENCORE Monday June 17, 2002 5:00 PM ENCORE Tuesday June 18, 2002 10:00 PM ENCORE Wednesday June 19, 2002 1:00 PM ENCORE

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PADRE PIO: MAN OF GOD (60:00) Listen to Padre Pio tell his own story through his letters and his writings. Archival footage and photographs, interviews with those who knew him best, and dramatization bring to life this mystic priest, stigmatist and bilocator. This simple friar's biography inspires people of all states of life to hear the call to holiness. Saturday June 15, 8:00 PM Tuesday June 18, 3:00 AM Wednesday June 19, 10:00 PM Thursday June 20, 1:00 PM

Amen! Last week I attended an event where a nun gave a presentation and she wasn't in a habit. I guess some nuns stopped wearing habits a while ago, but this was the first time I actually saw a nun not wearing a habit. It was the most disconcerting thing for me.

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